Willie Anderson (rugby union, born 1955)
Ireland international rugby union player (born 1955)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Willie Anderson (born 3 April 1955) is a rugby union coach and former Ireland international player. A lock, Anderson was capped 27 times for the national side between 1984 and 1990, some of them as captain.[2]
| Born | 3 April 1955 Sixmilecross, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland | ||||||||||||||||
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| Occupation | rugby union coach | ||||||||||||||||
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Playing career
While on a 1980 tour in Buenos Aires, Anderson was imprisoned for three months by the Argentinian authorities after attempting to smuggle a flag from a government building. He was later cleared of "demeaning a patriotic symbol".[3]
In one appearance as captain against New Zealand, Anderson led his side into a confrontation with their opponents while they were performing the haka.[4]
Anderson along with his French opponent Jean Condom, unwittingly became the subject of an amusing banner spotted by TV cameras in the crowd during a 5 Nations rugby match at Lansdowne Road in Ireland's championship campaign of 1985. The banner read 'Our Willie's bigger than your Condom!'.[5]
Anderson attended Omagh Academy. He is the father of fashion designer Jonathan Anderson (JW Anderson) who designed the Super Bowl performance outfit worn by the singer Rihanna in February 2023.[6]
Coaching
After retiring he became assistant coach of Leinster and later the Scotland national team,[7] both under head coach Matt Williams. After a spell as a full-time physical education teacher and rugby coach at Grosvenor Grammar School and later at Sullivan Upper School, Anderson was appointed head coach of Rainey Old Boys in July 2007.[8]
Anderson coaches Coolmine R.F.C.'s senior first XV. They play in Division 1 of the Leinster League.[9] On 22 March 2011, Anderson led Sullivan Upper School to their second Medallion Shield Victory defeating Limavady Grammar School 17–0.
